INFANTILE MORTALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 10

INFANTILE MORTALITY.

UNITED STATES POSITION,

WATCHING PLUNKET MOVEMENT.

The opinion that the United States must shortly establish some voluntary system for the reduction of tho maternal and infantile death rate, following the lines adopted by tho Plunkct Society in NewZealand, was expressed by Dr. F. 11. McMechan, secretary-general of the International Anaesthesia Research Society, who arrived by the Makura, yesterday. Tho United States had grappled with tho problem by establishing a federal bureau for infantile and maternal mortality, Dr. McMechan said. A tax was imposed on each Stato and the money divided between the States. This led to the use of money subscribed by larger States in the smaller and poorer States, and the result was that a large number of the more wealthy refused to co-operate. " The scheme was by 110 means fully supported by tho medical profession," Dr. McMechan continued. " Only in very few of the States was there unanimous support,' because maternal welfare work . is given over to the activities of tho nursing rather than tho medical profession. I The movement was initiated as a national campaign and was one of tho most bitterly-fought of legislation that liavo ever been before Congress. The latest effort lias been to prevent priation on tho part of tho Federal Government for carrying on tho work. "Jt cannot bo said that the scheme has been a success. It does not reach the problem as it should and is not having as visible an effect as could be desired. .There is a crying need in the United States for pre-natal and post-natal care, I together with the proper instruction to reduco infantile and maternal mortality. I but it must come from a voluntary movement." Dr. McMechan said that New Zea land's work in the direction of maternal and infantile welfare had been watched i with close attention m tho United States. ' Sir Truby King was recognised there as ' a loading authority on a great problem, and the time was ripe for the inauguraItion of a movemont similar to the Plunket movement.